Arsenal on the Charles

Athenahealth Reveals Plans to Cut Number of Cars Coming to Arsenal Site

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Athenahealth released details of how it will seek to reduce the number of people driving to work alone, and it will participate in the town’s effort to bring a shuttle to Watertown. 

On Wednesday, the company that owns the Arsenal on the Charles released its Transportation Demand Management plan that was created as part of its proposal to redevelop the former U.S. Army facility on Arsenal Street. The plan calls for the company to employ a full-time, on-site Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, as would any subsequent owner of the complex. It will also join MassRides, a group that will “encourage healthy transportation options for employees.” Athenahealth’s plan said the company will participate in the Watertown Transportation Management Association, which is likely to include a shuttle. The company said it would contribute in a proportional way with other developments in the area.

Development

Series of Meetings Announced for Two Major Projects on Arsenal Street

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Two of the most discussed and anticipated projects coming to Watertown – the Arsenal Mall and the Arsenal on the Charles – have meetings coming up where residents can learn about plans and give input. Watertown’s Community Development and Planning Department announced the following meetings:
Arsenal Mall
The owners of the Arsenal Mall, know called the Arsenal Project, announced three Community Meetings, with different topics to be discussed at each. The project is in the new Regional Mixed Use District, which was approved in March. The meeting Topics/Days/Times are as follows:

Infrastructure and Open Space (May 18, 7-9 p.m.)
Building Characteristics and Massing (May 26, 7-9 p.m.)
Open House (June 1, 7-9 p.m.)

All meetings will be held at the Arsenal Project in the Innovation Space. Enter Near Old Navy.

Arsenal on the Charles

Residents Have Mixed Reaction to Latest Plans for Athenahealth’s Campus

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Athenahealth and residents met for round three of discussions about the company’s plans to redevelop its Arsenal Street headquarters Tuesday night. The company presented its modified Master Plan to redevelop it’s Arsenal On the Charles headquarters at the Coolidge School Apartments complex. The updated plan included an increased setback from the new parking garage and North Beacon Street, new pedestrian zones to increase circulation, and the elimination of 227 parking spaces from the proposed new parking garage. Michael Crowley, vice president of athenaEnvironment said that zoning requirements mandated the setback from the parking garage and the street be a minimum of 25 feet, but Athena increased the setback to a total of 88 feet. The additional space will be used to create a “pocket park,” to create a buffer between the street and the garage Crowley said.

Arrests

Driver Loses Control, Damages Fence of Arsenal on the Charles

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Watertown Police arrested a man who lost control while driving along Arsenal Street in the early hours of March 20 and damaged the iron fence of the Arsenal on the Charles. The man, identified as Rigoberto Zuniga, was involved in the one-car accident on at 4 a.m. on the 20th, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “An officer responded to a motor vehicle accident Arsenal Street by School Street,” O’Connor said. “The vehicle struck the iron fence and took out three panels.” When police interviewed him, Zuniga said he did not have a Massachusetts driver’s license.

Development

Athenahealth Presents Latest Vision for Arsenal, Neighbors Unhappy with Garage

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Athenahealth hosted the public for the latest presentation of their vision for the Arsenal on the Charles complex, including details of traffic and parking, but neighbors remain dissatisfied with the proposal for a new garage on the west end of the campus. The company wants to transform the campus and make it more welcoming to the public, said Bob Corning, landscape architect from Stantec. “(athenahealth CEO) Jonathan Bush’s vision is to make the campus much more permeable and open to the public,” Corning said. “We want to make a more pedestrian oriented campus and improve stormwater management.” Thursday night’s meeting was the second community meeting following the one on Nov.

Arsenal on the Charles

Athenahealth Releases Presentation for Second Master Plan Meeting

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Athenahealth will hold the second community meeting about its Campus Master Plan on Thursday, Jan. 14. and the presentation of the latest plans has been released. The meeting will be held on the athenahealth campus, 321 Arenal St., in the Blakeway Auditorium inside Building 311 at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. Use garage and enter through the main South entrance in the middle of Building 311.

Development

Athenahealth Reveals Latest Plans, Residents Worry About Parking & Traffic

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Athenahealth’s latest draft of its campus master plan includes fewer buildings, but slightly more parking in its new multi-story parking garage, which concerns nearby residents. Tuesday night, athenahealth officials presented the master plan during the first of two planned community meetings on the project. The company owns the Arsenal on the Charles Complex and plans to add more office buildings, create a large glass enclosure over the “finger” buildings near the Arsenal Center for the Arts and remove much of the surface parking to make way for more open space and storm water management systems.

Along with making the campus big enough for it to be the healthcare technology company’s headquarters, the plan calls for making it more welcoming to residents, said Larry Beals, of Beals Associates, who has been hired by the company. “For years it was an Army facility with iron fences around it and entry by the public forbidden,” Beals said. “(athenahealth President and CEO) Jonathan Bush would like to do the opposite.